Bangin' Bags

Photo source: Style.com

Some of my favorite bags from A/W 2009 RTW - Fendi and Prada. 

The Fendi bags ( 1 - 3 ) are a mix of, from what I can see, at least five different materials - wood slats, crocodile skin or leather, metal, precious stone, and cloth. They're pretty amazing...the construction is so well thought out that it sort of reminds me of those secret compartment boxes...where you have to push all the pieces around to find and open a hidden compartment. Every panel on these bags fits together like a puzzle. 

They're interesting if you think about them, almost like bags made of found materials or scraps...which is what fashion is for most people right now, certainly for me. It looks like they were reconstructed out of bits and pieces of past season Fendi bags. There are signatures peeking out everywhere - crocodile skin, large stones - but these are a new take. Updated colours in an inspired bid for recycling. 

And then there's Prada - classic, as always. I've been thinking about traveling allot recently - I think I want to work for a little while and then use the money I make to take a world tour. Now, since I'm nothing if not impractical, my tour will not be of the backpacking variety. I am no backpacker. I am high maintenance in some ways. I've decided on a small suitcase, but that's the only concession I'm making to long-term travel. The small suitcase will be Longchamp (Le Pliage) and I will still need a carry on. Voila! Prada's Cervo tote - big enough to hold all my on -flight necessities and chic enough to satisfy my style requirements. 

Of course, its retailing for upwards of $1500 so I'll be in search of a cheaper alternative.

But it has to be red, and it has to be BIG. 

Bon Voyage, et Bon Chance

I love to travel. Driving to the bookstore, road trips, 13 hour flights - I love getting somewhere new and exiting. 

Well, I don't actually love the traveling part - I love the new places part. And the accessories. 

Because people, who doesn't love a good old-fashioned solid, dependable, lovely suitcase? 

They're aesthetically pleasing and practical!

(I'm really exited about this point because usually I only ever find things that match the 'aesthetically pleasing' point. Which doesn't bother me at all, but still, its nice to have both sometimes)

Suitcases fascinate me. I couldn't really tell you why, something about the orderliness of fitting a life into a small space, finding a spot for each and every item. (Another thing I love are pockets - which are plentiful on suitcases) I love older ones, with their hard cases and satin linings, and new ones with beautiful patterns or supple leather... small vanity cases, hat boxes, steamer trunks (God I love steamer trunks) but not duffel bags. Sorry, but those things are just...giant lumpy cloth slugs. Ew.

Here are some of my favorites I've found sprinkled around the internet. Some are being used for their original purpose, some have been given new lives. Some are ancient, some are brand spankin' new. Some have a story, some haven't started theirs yet. All of them are wonderful :)

*NB: Some of the photos, even at their smallest, are cut off when the post is published. Please click on them for a full image, its worth it for all of them!

1. Suitcase vanity mirror via weheartit * My absolute FAVORITE of all of these - I wish I knew how she did this!!!  2. Photo via Elen Usdin 3. Pink suitcase via Miss Kris 4. Solar powered entertainment trunk by Louis Vuitton 5. Vintage numbered suitcases via Yimmy's Yayo  6. Vintage Samsonite vanity case  7. Limited Edition Goyard steamer trunk showcasing Visionaire Magazine 8. Steamer Trunk - inspired coffee table by Sundance, via CasaSugar 9. Snapshot of a stack of Goyard Trunks, viaBlog Sorbeta  10, 11, &  12. Paper Source suitcases  13.  Skeleton Collection by Alexander McQueen for Samsonite

The Sea Gypsy

Source: Lenaah's Flickr

A friend of mine came across this poem by Richard Hovey ,originally published sometime in the late 19th century, in a book of children's poetry from the forties, and she wrote it down. She read it aloud to me and I immediately had to write it down. There's something about it that catches me, and enthralls me. Its supposed to be about the ocean, but its lustful, passionate, more like a love poem, and I understand.

I am fevered with the sunset,

I am fretful with the bay,

for the wander thirst is on me

and my soul is in Cathay.

*

There's a schooner in the offing,

with her topsails shot with fire,

and my heart has gone aboard her

for the Islands of Desire.

*

I must forth again tomorrow! 

With the sunset I must be,

hull down on the trail of rapture

in the wander of the Sea.

Flying

I'm back in San Francisco, and school starts tomorrow. I was starting to get antsy on the flight over, and then I looked out the window and was totally transfixed by the beautiful cloud formations outside that were leaving shadows on the water below me. 

So I took about a bajillion pictures. Literally. And I was totally psyched about these fifties sunglasses I found at Nicole's, so I took some pictures of myself too.

But seriously, don't clouds just make you feel peaceful?